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After an SSDI Award: Payment Rules and Other Available Benefits

This guide presents selected U.S. government consumer education from Social Security Administration. References to “we” or “us” in the source material refer to the issuing agency. Source dates and links appear below.

Introduction

This booklet explains some of your rights and responsibilities when you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits.

We suggest you take time now to read this booklet, and then put it in a safe place so you can refer to it in the future.

If you also receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments, read What You Need to Know When You Get Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Publication No. 05-11011).

About your benefits

When your payments start

Under the law, your payments can’t begin until you have a disability for at least five full months. Payments usually start with your sixth month of disability. However, there is no waiting period if your disability results from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and you are approved for SSDI benefits on or after July 23, 2020.

When we tell you that you’ll be receiving disability benefit payments, the notice explains how much your disability benefit will be and when your payments start. NOTE: If your family members are eligible for benefits based on your work, they’ll receive a separate notice and booklet.

How long payments continue

Generally, your disability benefits will continue as long as your medical condition has not improved and you can’t work. Benefits won’t necessarily continue indefinitely. Because of advances in medical science and rehabilitation techniques, many people recover from serious accidents and illnesses. We’ll review your case periodically to make sure you still have a qualifying disability.

You’re responsible for telling us if any of the following occur:

  • Your ability to work changes
  • You return to work
  • Your medical condition improves

NOTE: Other changes you need to report to us are described in the “What you must report to us” section.

If you disagree with a decision we make

If you have any questions about your payment amount, or any other information we may send to you, please contact us. If you were recently denied Social Security benefits for medical or non-medical reasons, you may request an appeal. Your request must be in writing and received within 60 days of the date you receive the letter containing our decision.

The fastest and easiest way to file an appeal of your decision is by visiting www.ssa.gov/disability/appeal. You can file online and provide documents electronically to support your appeal. You can file an appeal online even if you live outside of the United States.

You can also call us and ask for the appeal form (Form SSA-561).

If you still aren’t satisfied, there are further steps you can take. Read Your Right to Question the Decision Made on Your Claim (Publication No. 05-10058).

You have the right to hire an attorney or anyone else to represent you. This doesn’t mean you must have an attorney or other representative, but we’ll be glad to work with one if you wish. For more information about getting a representative, read Your Right to Representation (Publication No. 05-10075).

When and how your benefits are paid

Social Security benefits are paid each month. Generally, the day on which you receive your benefits depends on the birth date of the person on whose work record you receive benefits. For example, if you receive disability or retirement benefits, your payment date will be determined by your birth date. If you receive benefits as a spouse, your benefit payment date will be determined by your spouse’s birth date.

Electronic payments

You must receive your payments electronically. If you didn’t sign up for electronic payments when you applied, we strongly urge you to do it now.

Direct deposit is a simple, safe, and secure way to receive your benefits. Contact your bank to help you sign up. Or, you can sign up for direct deposit by contacting us.

Another option is the Direct Express card program. With Direct Express , deposits from federal payments are made directly to the card account. Signing up for a card is quick and easy. Call the toll-free Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Contact Center at 1-800-333-1795. Or, sign up online at https://godirect.gov/gpw/ or ask one of our representatives if you need help signing up.

If you receive your checks by mail

If your check is not delivered on its due date, wait three workdays before reporting the missing check to us. The most common reason checks are late is because a change of address wasn’t reported.

If your check is lost or stolen, contact us immediately. Your check can be replaced, but it takes time.

To be safe, you should cash or deposit your check as soon as possible after you receive it. You shouldn’t sign your check until you are at the place where you’ll cash it. If you sign the check ahead of time and lose it, the person who finds it could cash it.

A government check must be cashed within 12 months after the date of the check or it will be voided. After a year, if you’re still entitled to the payment, we’ll replace the voided check.

Returning benefits not due

If you receive a check that you know isn’t due, take it to any Social Security office or return it to the U.S. Treasury Department at the address on the check envelope. You should write VOID on the front of the check and enclose a note telling why you’re sending the check back. If you have direct deposit and receive a payment you should not have gotten, call or visit your local Social Security office. We’ll tell you how you can return it.

If you knowingly accept payments that aren’t due to you, you may face criminal charges.

Paying taxes on your benefits

Some people who get Social Security benefits have to pay taxes on their benefits. About one-third of our current beneficiaries pay taxes on their benefits. You’ll be affected only if you have substantial income in addition to your Social Security benefits.

  • If you file a federal individual income tax return and your income is more than $25,000, you have to pay taxes
  • If you file a joint return, you may have to pay taxes if you and your spouse have a combined income that is more than $32,000
  • If you’re married and file a separate return, you’ll probably pay taxes on your benefits

For more information, contact the Internal Revenue Service.

How we will contact you

Generally, we use the mail or call you on the phone when we want to contact you, but sometimes a Social Security representative may come to your home. Our representative will show you their identification before talking about your benefits. For your protection, call your local Social Security office to ask if someone was sent to see you before you let the representative into your home.

A special note for people who are blind

You can choose to receive notices from us in one of the following ways. Just let us know which you prefer.

  • Standard print notice by first-class mail
  • Standard print notice by certified mail
  • Standard print notice by first-class mail and a follow-up telephone call
  • Braille notice and a standard print notice by first-class mail
  • Microsoft Word file on a data compact disc (CD) and a standard print notice by first-class mail
  • Audio CD and a standard print notice by first-class mail
  • Large print (18-point size) notice and a standard print notice by first-class mail

To select one of these options, please contact us using one of the following methods:

  • Visit our website at www.ssa.gov/notices, and follow the steps provided
  • Call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number at 1-800-325-0778
  • Write or visit your local Social Security office

If you’d like to receive notices in another way, please call us at 1-800-772-1213, or visit your local Social Security office so we can begin processing your request. If we’re unable to approve your request, we’ll send the reason in writing to you and tell you how to appeal the decision.

If you have a question about a Social Security notice, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 to ask for the notice to be read or explained to you.

Cost-of-living adjustments

Each January, your benefits will increase automatically if the cost of living has gone up. For example, if the cost of living has increased by 2%, your benefits also will increase by 2%. If you receive your benefits by direct deposit, we’ll notify you in advance of your new benefit amount. If you receive your benefits by check, we’ll include a notice explaining the cost-of-living adjustment with your check.

When you reach full retirement age

If you’re receiving SSDI benefits, your disability benefits automatically convert to retirement benefits, but the amount remains the same.

If you also receive a reduced surviving spouse benefit, be sure to contact us when you reach full retirement age, so that we can make any necessary adjustment in your benefits. NOTE: For more information about full retirement age, read Retirement Benefits (Publication No. 05-10035).

Other benefits you may be able to get

SSI

If you have limited income and resources, you may be able to get SSI. SSI is a federal program that provides monthly payments to people age 65 or older and to people who are blind or have a disability. If you get SSI, you also may be able to get other benefits, such as Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

For more information about SSI, read Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Publication No. 05-11000).

A word about Medicare

After you receive disability benefits for 24 months, you’ll be eligible for Medicare. You will get information about Medicare several months before your coverage starts. If you have permanent kidney failure requiring regular dialysis or a transplant or you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), you may qualify for Medicare almost immediately.

Help for low-income Medicare beneficiaries

If you get Medicare and have low income and few resources, your state may pay your Medicare premiums and, in some cases, other “out-of-pocket” medical expenses. These expenses may include deductibles and coinsurance. Only your state can decide if you qualify. To find out if you do, contact your state or local welfare office or Medicaid agency. Also, more information is available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by calling the Medicare, toll-free number, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). If you’re deaf or hard of hearing, call TTY 1-877-486-2048.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

You might be able to get help through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. Visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap to find out how to apply. For more information, read Nutrition Assistance Programs (Publication No. 05-10100) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Facts (Publication No. 05-10101).

Sources and publication details

The federal agency source text is U.S. government work in the public domain. Fynoptic selected, adapted, and formatted it for this guide. No agency endorsement is implied. Follow the linked sources for current program details and the rules applicable to your circumstances.

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